Self-Publishing Journey Has Been Interesting So Far, Book Signing Event Coming Soon

One of the things in life I can’t stand is feeling stupid. I have to admit that I have felt stupid at times while learning the ins and outs of self-publishing. Despite publishing four books in rapid succession, I still don’t feel like I know much. I’ve made some mistakes, some more egregious than others, but it has all been a valuable learning experience. The Dark Passage Series complete is now available via multiple formats, however, because of a few choices I felt compelled to make, the books are only available in trade paperback through Amazon. For anyone wishing to purchase paperback(s), I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

As I think you’ve figured out by now, we indie authors must do much of the marketing ourselves. During my five years as a published novelist, I have found that the best way for yours truly to sell books is via the in-person book signing event. I have been in discussions with a local indie bookstore here in the Pacific Northwest that already carries my books about a signing event. I will have details soon about that event.

I appreciate everyone’s patience and support as I learn how to continue to put my stories out into the world. As I like to say, if you keep reading them I’ll keep writing them. Be sure to visit the “Where to Buy” page to find out how to order your copies of the novels in The Dark Passage Series.

Thank you all.

All Four New Editions of the Novels in The Dark Passage Series Now Available in Paperback!

All four books in The Dark Passage Series – The Dark Truth, The Dark Descent, The Dark Terror, and the brand-new novel, The Dark Dawn – are now available in trade paperback! Order now!

The Dark Passage Series is a dark, gritty, bloody vampire saga set in modern-day San Francisco. Evoking the myth and lore Gothic horror and the vampire genre are founded upon, The Dark Passage Series takes readers on a wild page-turning thrill ride. What would you do to survive?

The novels are just $15.99 each – get the whole set, including the brand-new book, The Dark Dawn!

The Dark Passage Series Complete Now Available for E-Book, Nook, and Kindle

All four books are available in e-book format! Order now!

The Dark Passage Series is a dark, gritty, bloody vampire saga set in modern-day San Francisco. Evoking the myth and lore Gothic horror and the vampire genre are founded upon, The Dark Passage Series takes readers on a wild page-turning thrill ride. What would you do to survive?

The novels are just $2.99 each – get the whole set, including the brand-new book, The Dark Dawn, for less than $12!

Amazon Kindle | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble Nook | Kobo

More Ways to Support Your Soon to Be Favorite Author

As I gear up my novel writing and publishing (self and traditional) endeavors, I have come to realize that I need some help. Cover design, editing, distribution, sales methods, software subscriptions, social media ads, etc., can be very expensive. Self-publishing has become a viable option for thousands of writers, although I’ll be honest, I resisted this method for the longest time. After going through the wringer with a traditional publisher and narrowly avoiding a few pitfalls that merely delayed my creative output, I’ve decided to self-publish some of my writing.

“But Jerry …” Yeah, I know. I have to actually write and create content. This is very true. I have been an avid blogger since 2013 and I enjoy it greatly. And as many posts as I’ve published, I can still write more and more regularly. In addition to writing full-length novels, I enjoy penning short stories and the occasional poem as well. I have always taken advantage of WordPress’ free blog publishing ecosystem, but in order to take this whole operation to the next level I know I will have to invest some money in this enterprise.

So, my faithful readers, I am asking for your help. I have opened up Buy Me a Coffee and Patreon accounts so you can assist me in getting these stories out of my head. In return, you’ll get exclusive content and plenty of sneak peeks of works in progress. Every little bit helps and I would certainly appreciate your support in keeping the lights on while I craft tales of darkness for your reading pleasure.

As I always say, if you keep reading them, I’ll keep writing them.

Exciting Book News

You may have noticed a gap in posts to the page. Well, that’s because I had to delete some posts. This publishing journey I have been on the past six years has been fraught with many ups and downs. I have had the distinct pleasure of having three of my novels published by a legitimate small, indie press, and I’ve learned what it’s like for my writing to be homeless.

After much consideration, discussion, research, and consternation, I have decided to self-publish some of my work.

What does that mean exactly? The first step is to release revised editions of the first three novels in The Dark Passage Series under my own label. And then, publish the fourth book in the series – The Dark Dawn. This fourth novel has been finished for some time, however, has not had a home. I personally think it’s the best of the four.

While I work on getting these books on the market, I will be starting a new novel, one more vampire story that has been rattling around in my head for quite some time. Lily will be based on an Irish vampire legend – the Dearg-due.

I’m sure there will be some of my writings that I’ll pitch to agents or publishers, but I’ve decided that self-publishing is the best option to bring my novel writing back from the dead.

Thank you for your support everyone.

Drum Roll Please: Presenting the Cover and Release Date for The Dark Terror

For the third time in two years I have the distinct pleasure in making a book release announcement and a cover reveal. I revel in all aspects of the writing and publishing process and I must admit, the cover reveal is almost as exciting as publish day. I am proud to announce that Book Three – The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Terror, is set to release on March 18, 2019. I frankly can’t wait.

I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to write three novels in less than three years. The Dark Terror represents the conclusion(?) of a trilogy of dark, gritty, bloody vampire tales set in modern-day San Francisco. I have a created a character I have grown to love, respect, cherish, and even fear. Elizabeth Danae Rubis is a reflection of yours truly, dare I say an alter ego. She is a foul-mouthed vampire with an acerbic wit and an unquenchable thirst. She has learned, changed and grown much during her evolution. I have been walking around in her skin for the better part of three years and she has been a lot of fun to write. Her fate you ask? You’ll have to read the book.

Thank you to my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House of Port Angeles, Wash., this cover is the best of the three is I do say so myself.

The Dark Truth and The Dark Descent are on sale now. Get ready for the final installment, The Dark Terror, coming March 18, 2019!

And Now for a Word from our Sponsors

I thought I would give you an update on what’s happening with The Dark Passage Series. There have been a few developments with regard to pricing and formats.

The Dark Truth

My debut novel, Book One – The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Truth is available as an audio book from both Audible and iTunes/Apple Books. You can listen to it for free with a 30-day Audible trial. You can get The Dark Truth, plus a second, for free. If you order through iTunes, it retails for $17.95.

Amazon.com has the trade paperback edition of The Dark Truth on sale for $5.61, which is 63% off the regular price of $14.99. You can save 10% at Barnes & Noble’s web site and get it for $13.49. They are offering free shipping. For San Francisco Bay Area Barnes & Noble stores, you can get it at Arden Fair in Sacramento, Hacienda Crossings in Dublin, and Bay Street in Emeryville.

The Kindle, Nook, and e-book formats are priced at $1.99.

The Dark Descent

The sequel to The Dark Truth, Book Two – The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Descent, is available in trade paperback, Amazon Kindle, Nook, and e-book. The trade paperback is priced at $14.99, while Kindle, Nook, and e-book formats are $2.99.

For San Francisco Bay Area folks, Barnes & Noble in Modesto, Arden Fair in Sacramento, Hacienda Crossings in Dublin have it in stock in store. If you order online from B&N, they are offering free shipping.

The audio book is currently in production. I have listened to the first four chapters so far, and Cheryl May, who narrated The Dark Truth, is doing a great job.

The Dark Terror

The third and final(?) installment in The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Terror, is done. I took a little over a week to do the self-edit. It is in the hands of my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House of Port Angeles, Washington. After they review it, it will go to their editor. I have it on good authority that the cover designer is set to begin that work.

I will keep everyone updated on cover art, a release date, and ordering information.

Thank you to those of you who have purchased the books, posted reviews, attended book signings/readings. It means the world to me and I am glad I get a chance to share these twisted stories that rattle around in the dark recesses of my mind with you.

Click here for more ways to order.

The Dark Terror is Off to the Publisher

After an thorough self-edit, and the addition of some detail to a few key scenes, I have submitted the manuscript for The Dark Terror, Book Three – The Dark Passage Series, to my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House of Port Angeles, Wash., a full three weeks ahead of deadline.

Many people ask me how long it takes to write my novels. The Dark Truth took 13 months, and I believe The Dark Descent took seven – eight months. A quick check of the version history in Google Docs reveals that I started writing on January 20, 2018. So, it took just under 10 months to write. I probably could have finished it sooner but I had a hard time closing the book on Elizabeth.

I began The Dark Truth in January of 2016 and finished it in February of 2017. I submitted The Dark Descent to my publisher on time, on deadline on January 1, 2018. The deadline for The Dark Terror is November 1, 2018.

I am quite happy with the fact that I have written three novels in less than three years, The first two are Amazon Bestsellers, and the first has been released as an audio book. Production on the second audio book got underway recently. The great Cheryl May is narrating my tales. I know what Elizabeth Danae Rubis sounds like and I think Cheryl has captured her essence quite well.

Stay tuned for release information and I am sure there will be another book tour in the works once that information becomes available. You will now have a complete trilogy of dark, gritty, bloody, neo-Gothic vampire noir to keep you up at night.

Fangs for your support. Enjoy the nightmares.

 

 

The Dark Terror … is … done

I am very happy to announce that as of 10:50 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, principal writing for The Dark Terror, Book Three – The Dark Passage Series, is complete. Current word count is 60,713 but I am sure that will change before I send it off to my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House, for editing and formatting.

“I am Elizabeth Danae Rubis and I am the Queen of the Fucking Night!”

This truly has been a labor of love. These three books – The Dark Truth, The Dark Descent, and The Dark Terror – mark my first true and honest foray into fiction writing. I have put so much of myself into these books, more than I realized. The writing has been therapeutic, cathartic, nerve racking, goosebump inducing, and stress relieving – never boring, never tedious (even plowing through the scenes that had to be written just to advance the plot), always fun, always exciting.

I started with a premise and character. Elizabeth Danae Rubis. I called on my knowledge of vampire lore and the vampire in pop culture to weave a three-volume tale set in modern-day San Francisco that will, to borrow a phrase, “thrill you, chill you and fulfill you.” It is decadent and depraved. There is plenty of murder and mayhem, twists and turns, heartbreak and betrayal and blood, lots and lots of blood.

The first book, The Dark Truth, was named after a beer. And that dark truth is a stark realization of a new existence and coming to grips with that new reality. The second reflects that descent into the deeper darkness, the evolution of the character and self awareness. The Dark Terror is just that – just when you think the story couldn’t go any deeper, any darker, it does.

I was over the moon when I found out The Dark Truth was a finalist for the International Vampire Films and Arts Festival’s Golden Stake Award for vampire fiction.

People have asked me why a vampire story, where did I get the idea, why a female vampire, how did I get into vampires? I always thought that if I was going to write a book, it would be a vampire story. I have been into vampires since I was very young. I love Gothic horror. I have always been enthralled with the idea of a strong female lead vampire character. So many in the genre have been men.

Vampires are eternal, sexy, seductive, and powerful. There are so many traits that draw us to these creatures, the undead. Who wouldn’t want to live forever? Command the children of the night? Terrorize our enemies with impunity and no consequence? Possess unlimited strength?

Yet the vampire has weaknesses and determined enemies. It is the struggle between good and evil, between the light and the dark, that draws us to these stories.

Bram Stoker created the ultimate villain and defined a genre with his seminal Dracula. It is my privilege to add to that canon. I hope you find my three tales of neo-Gothic horror worthy.

Thank you for your support, everyone. Stay tuned for cover art reveals and a release date.

Thank You to The Avid Reader

I’d like to take a moment to thank the folks at The Avid Reader in Davis, Calif., for hosting me for my latest book signing/reading event. It’s a great store near the University of California – Davis campus with a friendly staff. If you are ever in Davis, be sure to stop in.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. But The Avid Reader should definitely be on your list of stops when you visit.